Providence Senior Recovering After Eye Surgery

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Providence

Providence senior Bryan Horan is home following emergency eye surgery Saturday, and, while his prognosis is still uncertain, his season is likely over.

Battling for the puck after a faceoff, Horan took a butt end through his cage and into his right eye during the second period of last Friday's game against New Hampshire.

Surgery was performed to make some repairs to his retina, and it left him with a lot of swelling and trauma. He is home recuperating, but it will be weeks before the swelling has gone down enough for doctors to assess the extent of the damage.

"(The injury) probably couldn't happen a hundred other times if he tried," said Providence coach Tim Army. "There were bodies going for the puck, and he was at just the right level and (the stick) went through his cage."

Horan, a Farmington, Conn., native who turned 23 two weeks ago, had three goals and six points in 30 games for the Friars this season. After playing 15 games his freshman season and 26 as a sophomore, Horan became an every-game contributor for Army last season, earning nine points in 33 games.

"He's had a really good year this year," Army said. "He's giving us good minutes. He kills penalties, he's a guy that can center or either wing. We can insert him around.

"His speed makes him a good penalty killer. He's an intelligent player, he understands the game. So he gave me some flexibility in moving him around, and when guys weren't going, I could slide him in to that spot."

Army said Horan will be missed as much for his off-ice presence.

"He's a fantastic kid, a wonderful young man, a great student," Army said. "He's well-liked. The kind of kid that says hi to you every day and bye every day."